Who said “Before a man speaks, it is always safe to assume that he is a fool. After he speaks it…”?

Verified

H. L. Mencken. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceA Mencken Chrestomathy (1949)

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: A Mencken Chrestomathy (1949).

APA

Mencken, H. L. (n.d.). Before a man speaks, it is always safe to assume that he is a fool. After he speaks it is seldom necessary to assume. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/25690-before-a-man-speaks-it-is-always-safe/

MLA

Mencken, H. L. “Before a man speaks, it is always safe to assume that he is a fool. After he speaks it is seldom necessary to assume.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/25690-before-a-man-speaks-it-is-always-safe/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Mencken, H. L. “Before a man speaks, it is always safe to assume that he is a fool. After he speaks it is seldom necessary to assume.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/25690-before-a-man-speaks-it-is-always-safe/.

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